XO Calder Clark

I’m a lifelong stacker of diamond bands, or any ring for that matter. The more the merrier- if only there were finger stretchers, I’d subject myself. Channel set diamonds, prong-set diamonds, bezel-set gems, diamond-sapphire-diamond, emeralds sprinkled within, micro-pavé, milgrain, braided, rose gold, yellow gold, platinum – the options are endless. Top tips from a Croghan’s regular (moi) and stalker of Harry Winston, Graff, Buccellati, Cartier, Neil Lane, Single Stone, Kwiat, and the like:

1. Do not buy a scooped-out wedding ring that fits “flush fit” or snugly to your engagement ring. You’ll never be able to wear it alone, which is a big con. I’ve even seen gals weld the scoopy wedding ring to their engagement ring. Nay.

2. “Kissing cousins” is more chic than Matchy McMatcherson. If your engagement ring has baguettes as side friends, try round brilliants instead. If your engagement ring is round, try channel set radiants for your wedding ring in lieu. Shake it up- you can thank me later.

3. All white all the way. Meaning- if you fall within the lion’s share of girls who choose white gold or platinum, choose the same for the base of your wedding ring(s) and play with rose gold + yellow gold later on with yummy glitzies for having babies and celebrating milestone anniversaries. Ok, or for any reason (wink).

4. Color is kosher. Pop in precious stones like sapphires or emeralds for a little personality. Don’t dabble in semi-precious stones (amethyst, aquamarine, topaz, etc.) for your wedding rings- this is one place where mixing high + low falls flat.

A sprinkling of our favorite wedding rings from Cartier. I’ll take one of each, s’il vous-plait.

Don’t think for a New Yawk minute that I’m not planning on finding the Amalfi flagship of Buccellati on our 10th anniversary trip there this year. DUH. Remind me to tell you about the time I found a breathtaking Buccellati wedding ring on the floor of a wedding of ours. Be still, my beating heart.

Single Stone nails it every time on wedding rings. It’s uncanny. The selection is fabby and I love the Edwardian nod with the etching and milgrain on lots o’ their lovelies.

Well obvi you can’t go wrong with Kwiat wedding rings. I think they’re timeless and as glittery as it gets.

Will it trail or stay tailored? Will it have height or texture? Blooms or one greenery or mixed greenery or all? What kind of candlelight will you weave in? Fluffy + mounded, boho and wiry? The options are endless.

To stream or not to stream? ‘Tis the profound question of bouquet-fastening these days. I for one am not yet quite over it- I think it’s romantic, whimsical, old world, and lovely. What girl doesn’t love love love all ribbon?

I told y’all I’m game for putting bridesmaids in patterns, so you can bet your bottom dollar I’d cover a party in one exquisite, chic chinoiserie pattern. Toile de jouy is an integral part of every good Southern girl’s interiors; it is as timeless as sterling + Irish linen. Likewise, every classicist loves British Colonial-meets-Imperial-China, be it in the form of ginger jars and Cantonese imports or just the crispness of blue + white. Now if only Society Social could create a fabby slim-lined chivari silhouette in a vintage bamboo? We’d buy 500! Wheels spinning over here.